Vivid Adventure Safaris Ugandahttps://vividsafarisuganda.com
Budget safaris and tours in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo Wed, 18 Jul 2018 18:29:21 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9https://vividsafarisuganda.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Vivid-adventure-safaris-uganda-limited-150x150.jpgVivid Adventure Safaris Ugandahttps://vividsafarisuganda.com
32323 National parks every Ugandan must visithttps://vividsafarisuganda.com/3-national-parks-every-ugandan-must-visit/
https://vividsafarisuganda.com/3-national-parks-every-ugandan-must-visit/#respondThu, 07 Jun 2018 08:53:31 +0000https://vividsafarisuganda.com/?p=2386Many Ugandans come to Vivid Adventure Safaris looking for travel experiences around the world. They mention exotic places like the Eiffel Tower, the leaning Tower of Pisa, The statue of Liberty and during the conversation, we are itching to ask “How much of Uganda have you seen?”

For most, this question catches them off guard. Just like it has probably caught you off guard. How much of Uganda have you seen? Most probably very little or none at all. You are a Ugandan (like many) who don’t know that we have sights that will blow your mind right here in your own country. So before you run off to France or Italy, here are 3 spectacular national parks you should visit in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
This park lies in the southwestern part of Uganda just on the edge of the edge of the rift valley. Bwindi national park is covered in one of the country’s oldest and most biologically diverse rain forests; you will see over 400 species of plants, and about 120 species of mammals and other primates. The rain forest is also the home of about 400 mountain gorillas. Bwindi is home to about half the population of the mountain gorillas in the world. And in case you are wondering about accommodation, there is a number of luxury lodges and campsites in the neighboring towns of Buhoma and Nkuringo.

Murchison Falls National Park
You haven’t experienced wild Uganda until you have been to the Murchison Falls National Park. Located on the shore of Lake Albert in northwest Uganda, the park is popularly known for the Murchison falls, where the great river Nile bursts through an 8 meter wide opening and falls over a massive drop. Quite frankly it’s a marvel to behold. The park is also home to 76 species of mammals and 451 birds. It is a place you just have to see for yourself.

Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National park is another area worth seeing. According to Lonely Planet, “Very few reserves in the world can boast such a high biodiversity rating and with landscapes as scenic as the Queen Elizabeth National Park.” The sights at the park include savannah, bushland, wetlands and lush forests. You will get up close with leopards that roam the Mweya Peninsula, the huge volcanic crater that is Lake Katwe, amazing hippos, crocodiles and chimpanzees that live in the Kyambura Gorge. You will also want to check out the bat caves in Maramagambo Forest and the world famous tree climbing lions of Ishasha.

Guess what, our tour consultants have put together an action packed safari package at a discount where you can experience all Uganda’s top national parks in just 7 days. CLICK HERE to check it out

]]>https://vividsafarisuganda.com/3-national-parks-every-ugandan-must-visit/feed/0Uganda’s Oldest Chimpanzee Rests at 54https://vividsafarisuganda.com/ugandas-oldest-chimpanzee-rests-at-54/
https://vividsafarisuganda.com/ugandas-oldest-chimpanzee-rests-at-54/#respondMon, 30 Apr 2018 07:02:13 +0000https://vividsafarisuganda.com/?p=2379Late evening on Thursday, April 26, the 54 year old male chimpanzee, Zakayo’s respiratory organs started to fail and although the team on site tried to resuscitate him for about 2 hours, the legendary zakayo, who has lived at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) years breathed his last. A brief statement from Uganda Wildlife Education Center shows that preliminary findings suggest that Zakayo succumbed to chronic gastroenteritis (stomach flu). According to experts, due to his old age, he was highly susceptible to opportunistic infections. Mr Lawrence George Opio, a veterinary doctor at Uwec, said they tried all preventive and curable treatment to save 54-year-old Zakayo for the last 18 days, but in vain.

Zakayo, the oldest known chimpanzee was laid to rest on Saturday, 28th April in budongo forest, Uganda where the friends of Zakayo & chimpanzee enthusiasts who had become accustomed to ceremonial elegance & splendor every year, at each of Zakayo’s birthdays came together again but this time to celebrate the end of his life.

In tribute to Zakayo’s qualities at his funeral service, Ms Evelyn Nakayerise, a wildlife conservationist, described Zakayo as a great leader who took care of his young ones and loved visitors.
“He was really amazing the way he handled life and the life of the fellow chimps; it was really amazing,” she said.

Vivid adventure safaris Uganda joins conservationists in Uganda and the world at large as we remember and celebrate the life of Uganda’s known, oldest chimpanzee Zakayo, rest in peace mzee Zakayo.

]]>https://vividsafarisuganda.com/ugandas-oldest-chimpanzee-rests-at-54/feed/0Why is Uganda so friendly?https://vividsafarisuganda.com/why-is-uganda-so-friendly/
Wed, 11 Apr 2018 06:43:12 +0000https://vividsafarisuganda.com/?p=2307As a tourist visiting a country for a short while or an expat slated to work in a new place for longer periods, it can be really difficult finding a new friend not just to help ease the loneliness but also to help you adjust to the new lifestyle and norms you will be part of until the end of your stay.

In an effort to determine where tourists and expats worldwide find the best success of fitting into communities fast, global community network InterNations conducted their annual Expat Insider survey of more than 14,000 expats from 191 countries, asking residents to rate a number of aspects about life abroad, including how easy it was to settle in, a country’s friendliness and ease of making friends. According to the report, 57% of expats and tourists in Uganda gave ‘general friendliness’ the best possible rating (the global average was 26%).

Uganda’s “friendliness” is also the reason why refugees in the region choose it as the best asylum; one too many visitors have been known to come to Uganda and actually refuse to return home.

Hospitality is an intrinsic part of culture in Uganda
In spite of the country’s cultural diversity, with 56 tribes and over 9 indigenous communities (recently formalized by the government), Ugandans are hardwired to smile, welcome and genuinely offer assistance to anyone even if you are a foreigner. In most other countries, being a foreigner will trigger instant skepticism and in worse communities even resentment. It’s not the case in Uganda because even within the country, members of different tribes can easily move and stay in “foreign” places without ever feeling stigmatized or resented.

Some would argue that it is because of this diversity that the people became so welcoming in that everyone is seen as just another person beyond their origin. The less culturally diverse a country is, the more “unique” a foreigner will be and it is quite often difficult to blend into such tight knit communities

Uganda is an affordable place to stay
According to most expats, Uganda is very affordable for food and labor; expats are usually able to maintain a high standard of living through their stay in Uganda for example for as low as $300 a month, you can find a spacious family house in a decent neighborhood and $25 can get you fresh food shopping that can take a family of about 4 for a week. In the case of labor, you can hire workers at an average of $200-$500 a month without depriving them of basic living comfort. Some roles will of course require higher pay but on average, most people’s salary is in that range

Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to live in a friendly environment with great weather and a manageable cost of living?

Are you from another country and have lived, worked or visited Uganda? What did you love about the country? Do you believe it is as friendly as most people say? Leave a comment below

]]>The 4 best things to do in Rwandahttps://vividsafarisuganda.com/the-4-best-things-to-do-in-rwanda/
Tue, 10 Apr 2018 15:13:59 +0000https://vividsafarisuganda.com/?p=2299Rwanda is a landlocked country located in East Africa, bordering Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi. You may know a little bit about Rwanda’s violent past but the country is long passed its war torn days and is now one of the safest, cleanest and fastest advancing countries to visit in Africa.

Let’s quickly take you through the key recommended tour and travel activities on your planned visit to Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills.

Gorilla Trekking, of course
When most people think about Rwanda, the first thing that comes to mind is tracking gorillas. It is in fact the main adventure in the country and you won’t be disappointed. Book a gorilla tracking safari in Rwanda for example in the parc de volcanes for a very unique gorilla tracking experience because you can get inches away from Gorillas AND YOU WILL BE STUNNED!! Unfortunately, the largest group of active gorillas is in Uganda at the Bwindi impenetrable national park but Rwanda has its fair share of gorilla families that will make your trip worthwhile.

Gorillas make their homes in and amongst the bamboo-covered slopes of the Virunga Mountains in the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda

Explore Kigali, the Capital of Rwanda
Kigali is a gorgeous city with great weather. You can get a taste of Rwanda’s history in Kigali by visiting the genocide memorial centers to learn about the turbulent past of the country and also check out the monuments & remembrance collections.

Photo ops at the Rubavu beach
Are you surprised that Rwanda has a beach? – You’re not alone. Most people are surprised until they visit Rubavu (also known as Gisenyi). It is a waterfront town located on the shores of Lake Kivu, one Africa’s great bodies of water. Rubavu is only an hour away from Volcanoes National Park so it would make for a great way to unwind after your Gorilla/chimpanzee trekking adventures. If you want to max out your photo moments while in Rwanda, be sure to visit the Rubavu beach at Lake Kivu.

Butare (Huye)
Huye is arguably the most distinguished town in Rwanda, it has been known as the country’s most prominent intellectual centre since the colonial era, when it was known as Butare and is home to the excellent Ethnographic Museum. Butare is the cultural hub for the country and was once the most important city before 1965. If you have time you can also visit the nearby Nyabisindu (Nayanza) where you can find the impressive royal palace of Rwanda’s feudal monarchy.

Have you been to Rwanda? Did you enjoy a destination or activity that should have made it to this list? tell us in the comments section below